Alongside Nwaneri: 8/10 Arsenal Star with 90% Passing Was a “Different Bēãst” v Bolton
Arsenal’s League Cup clash against Bolton Wanderers last night might have been competitive on paper, but in reality, it resembled more of a training session.
Despite Mikel Arteta making eight changes to the squad that had fiercely battled for a point at the Etihad just days earlier, the outcome remained unaffected. Arsenal comfortably secured a 5-1 victory against the League One side.
As expected, with such a scoreline, several Arsenal players delivered standout performances. Among them, 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri and another Hale End graduate particularly caught the eye.
Ethan Nwaneri vs Bolton
Nwaneri has been a source of great excitement ever since he became the youngest player to feature in a Premier League match two years ago.
While it’s still early to make definitive judgments, his first competitive start for Arsenal was a resounding success.
Though the match was against a third-division team, Nwaneri showcased his talent, proving he belongs in the first team. His performance may have earned him a spot in Arsenal’s lineup against Leicester City this weekend.
The Enfield-born midfielder was highly active throughout the game, scoring a goal in each half. With a bit more selfishness in front of goal, he might have completed a hat-trick.
Arsenal writer Kaya Kaynak from Football.london gave the 5’9” rising star a 9/10 rating for his performance, stating that the youngster appeared completely comfortable in the team.
Nwaneri’s statistics from the match were equally impressive. Over 94 minutes of play, he had 44 touches, maintained a 93% passing accuracy, completed two key passes, was 100% accurate with his long balls, took two shots on target, and made two tackles.
| Nwaneri’s game in numbers | |
|---|---|
| Minutes | 94′ |
| Touches | 44 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Passing Accuracy | 26/28 (93%) |
| Key Passes | 2 |
| Long Balls (Accurate) | 1 (1) |
| Shots on Target | 2 |
| Tackles | 2 |
| Stats Source: Sofascore | |
Overall, it was nearly a flawless debut for Nwaneri, and although he rightfully earned the majority of today’s attention, one of his fellow newcomers was just as impressive.
Myle Lewis-Skelly’s Performance vs Bolton
Alongside Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, another 17-year-old talent, made a remarkable impact in his full debut.
The Hale End academy graduate made waves in the Premier League on Sunday evening when he caught the attention of many by engaging with Erling Haaland.
This happened when he confronted Haaland for speaking to David Raya behind the goal, and he later came on as a substitute in the closing minutes of the game. However, his first competitive start for the club came last night, marking a significant moment in his career.
Although he spent most of his junior football years playing in a midfield position, Arteta decided to deploy the adaptable player at left-back. Due to the nature of the opposition and the flow of the match, he had the freedom to push forward and drift into central midfield without much resistance.
His close ball control and composure were remarkable for a player of his age, but the highlight of the match came in the 37th minute. In this moment, he delivered an exquisite pass that cut through nearly the entire Bolton defense, leading to Nwaneri’s first goal. This impressive play prompted podcaster Will Balsam to describe him as a “different beast.”
Kaynak, similarly impressed by the young talent from Islington, gave him a rating of 8/10 for his performance. He noted that the player looked “superb” and predicted that “more first team opportunities beckon” for the rising star.
| Lewis-Skelly’s game in numbers | |
|---|---|
| Minutes | 62′ |
| Touches | 76 |
| Fouls Won | 4 |
| Aerial Duels (Won) | 2 (2) |
| Passing Accuracy | 55/61 (90% |
| Long Balls (Completed) | 3 (2) |
| Key Passes | 1 |
| Tackles | 1 |
| Stats Source: Sofascore | |
Similar to his fellow debutant, his performance statistics from the night reflect this positive assessment. During his 62 minutes on the field, he made 76 touches, won four fouls, had a 100% success rate in aerial duels, achieved 90% passing accuracy, completed two out of three long balls, provided one key pass, and made one tackle.
In the end, both Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly delivered outstanding performances, and despite their youth, Arteta must give them more opportunities moving forward—they are prepared.
In other Arsenal news, What Premier League Rivals are Saying About Arsenal with Concerns Sent to PGMOL
